Nigerian governor urges more Chinese investment in northeast region

The governor of Nigeria's northeast Borno State on Monday called for more Chinese investment in the region.

Kashim Shettima told the Chinese ambassador in Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, that the region, having become a shadow of itself in terms of economy, could bounce back sooner than expected with the support of Chinese investors.

The Nigerian northeast region had been plagued by more than seven years of Boko Haram insurgency.

As peace gradually returns to the region, Shettima said, the government of Borno State was convinced that the role of Chinese investors could not be undermined in all sectors.

"China is actively involved in the rekindling of a better tomorrow of Africa," said the governor, who has traveled to China several times.

He said agriculture was one of the areas in which his state would be willing to partner with Chinese companies, in addition to infrastructural development.

The Chinese ambassador said China will continue to prove to be Nigeria's friend in weal and woe.

"China and Nigeria will continue to cooperate in many areas. Many Chinese companies in Nigeria have shown interest in supporting the northeast," Zhou said.

Prior to his visit with the Borno state governor, Zhou attended a ceremony here for the provision of 5 million U.S. dollars in emergency humanitarian aid to northeast Nigeria as part of China's support for relief efforts by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in the region. Endit